33 TAKE PART IN CENTURY MAHKOTA KOLAM COMPETITION

BANDA HILIR : The Century Mahkota Hotel Melaka ballroom was turned into a place of colours as more than 33 participants took part in a Kolam competition.

The participants, including 18 Chinese, painstakingly used their deft hands to come out with intricate Indian designs on a four feet by four feet board.

They were given coloured rice comprising of white, blue, green, red and yellow colours while others brought their own colours and decorations.

Hotel's public relations manager M.S. Bobby said all the participants managed to complete their masterpieces within the two hour allocated time.

"Our four judges had a tough time in deciding the three main winners, based on design, colour combination, creativity and originality," she said.

This is the second time that the hotel had organised the competition in conjunction with the Deepavali celebrations.

Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Syed Ahmad Shahabudin and his consort Toh Puan Marfuza Sheikh Mohd Osman were the main guest of honours while state MIC Chairman, Datuk R Raghavan and Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Melaka Branch chairman Datuk Chandrakant Avalani were also present.

Earlier the hotel's executive assistant manager Edward Lau said there Was keen interests from the younger generation for this year's competition.

"The Kolam competition has brought goodwill and harmony among the various races in the country," he said, adding that the hotel had never failed in its obligation to celebrate the various festivals.

Twelve-year-old Meera Reddy performed two classical dances while the

Judges were having a hard time in deciding on the winners.

Businesswoman, Vanitha Nadaraj, 36, was chosen as the winner for coming out with a design of a colourful oil lamp with the Century Mahkota logo.

She won a three day, two night stay in an executive suite with continental breakfast, evening cocktails and buffet dinner for two persons, a hamper and a T-shirt and a cap.

Twelve-year-old Ong Ray Ling took the second prize and won a one night, two day stay in a one bedroom apartment with buffet breakfast and dinner for two persons at Century Mahkota Hotel Melaka, a hamper, t-shirt and a cap.

Lee Ching Siew, 10, took the third prize of one night, two day stay in a one bedroom apartment with buffet breakfast for two persons at Century Mahkota Hotel Melaka, a hamper, T-shirt and a cap.

The other 29 participants did not go home empty-handed as they received consolation prizes of a hamper, a T-shirt and a cap.

Mingguan Melaka : 29 Okt - 4 Nov 2000. Issue 18

Copyright © 2000 by IKSEP, Melaka . Issue 18 (29 Okt - 4 Nov 2000)